-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WU6FUgzpGaf4Si+ngRw3J9cELfWgHhcr+k0HPMoEQGCt8mJpfExKOWMnrNFVoi1I
 tKKvtOuSm+4VvmwH0bnLdw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000783603-05-000020.txt : 20050127
<SEC-HEADER>0000783603-05-000020.hdr.sgml : 20050127
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050127144053
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000783603-05-000020
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041230
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050127
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050127

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Lackner Frank D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001315632

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14795
		FILM NUMBER:		05553415

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		441-295-5688

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		44 CHURCH STREET
		STREET 2:		P.O. BOX HM2064
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			HM HX

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE HOLDINGS LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000783603
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		44 CHURCH STREET
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			HM HX
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4412968560

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		44 CHURCH STREET
		CITY:			HAMILTON
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			HM HX

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19971218
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form3_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-30</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000783603</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE HOLDINGS LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ASI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001315632</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lackner Frank D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>800 THIRD AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>17TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>FRANK D. LACKNER BY POWER OF ATTORNEY</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----